The current issue
- Pharmacy students’ readiness for interprofessional education
Magdalena Cerbin-Koczorowska, Patrycja Kant, Michał Michalak, Agnieszka Skowron
Background. Interprofessional education (IPE) is thought to be essential to improve the cooperation among members of healthcare team. The aim of this study was to assess pharmacy students’ readiness for interprofessional learning (RIPLS). Material and methods. Respondents referred to 19 statements using five-point Likert scale. Data received from 436 students (representing 51.78% of the general population) underwent statistical analysis performed with Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (with post-hoc Dunn’s test) tests. Differences between groups were considered statistically significant at p < 0.005. Results. The highest values of RIPLS index were observed among the students of 5 and 4 year (71.26 ± 8.38 i 70.79 ± 8.81 respectively). In addition, female pharmacy students represented significantly higher value of RIPLS (p = 0.0054). The results of this study indicated a high awareness of 5 year pharmacy students about the role of a pharmacist in the healthcare team, compared to younger respondents. A significant increase of positive professional identity with a simultaneous decrease of negative professional identity was observed among older students, and is thought to be favorable to establishing interprofessional cooperation. It seems reasonable to consider IPE implementation into postgraduate training.Keywords: interprofessional education, pharmacy students, professional relations
- Levofloxacin – its practical application in the treatment and pharmacokinetics
Andrzej Czyrski, Katarzyna Kondys
Levofloxacin is a third generation of fluoroquinolones representative. It is characterized by a wide spectrum of bactericidal activity. Due to its properties it can be applicated in community acquired pneumonia and tuberculosis treatment. In case of tuberculosis is a second line drug often combined with other antituberculotic drugs. In Helicobatcer pylori eradication it can be combined with two or three other drugs when other therapies fail (so called triple therapy or quadruple therapy respectively). Due to its high concentration in urine it can be applied in urinary tract infections. It premeats well to prostatic tissue and it is first line drug used in prostatitis. The pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin is described by two-compartment model. It is absorbed after oral administration and it permeats tissues very well. The elimination of levofloxacin is age-dependant process. Levofloxacin is also glycoprotein-P inhibiting agent and it may lead to the increase of the blood levels of other drugs. Levofloxacin is a quite safe drug however man should be aware in treatment of elderly patients.
Keywords: pharmacokinetics, tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori, levofloxacin, community acquired pneumonia
- Diet as supplement of Acne vulgaris therapy
Part I. Vitamins and minerals
Jolanta Dawidziak, Monika Balcerkiewicz
Acne (Acne vulgaris) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease. Its development is influenced by genetic factors, the androgenic activity, the growth of bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, excessive secretion of sebum, the skin keratosis as well as certain drugs and cosmetics. Acne occurs mostly in teenagers and is associated with increased hormonal activity during this period. In the management of this skin disorder, it seems to be essential to use appropriately selected drugs (antibiotics, retinoids or benzoyl peroxide), but it is also important to ensure adequate nutrition and skin care. The diet of people with acne should be properly balanced and provide all the necessary nutrients, minerals (esp. zinc, selenium, silicon and sulfur) and vitamins (esp. vitamin C, A, D and B vitamins). It may significantly improve outcomes of Acne vulgaris therapy.
Keywords: acne, diet, vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, silicon
- Self-assessment of quality of life and sense of coherence of people diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea
Background. Assumptions of the concept of sense of coherence suggest an immune resource mobilization to enable man to fight the disease or maintain optimal health. The high level of quality of life coupled with large resource allows acceptance of the disease and increases the likelihood of medical treatment. Aim. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the level of sense of coherence and quality of life as a determinant in maintaining optimal health in individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Material and methods. The study was conducted among 100 patients diagnosed and treated in Kujawsko-Pomorski Pulmonology Center in the Laboratory of Respiratory Disorders in the Dreamtime. The study used questionnaire Questionaire of Life Orientation SOC 29 and the Functional Outcomes Questionnaire of Sleep in the Polish language version. Results. Results were as follows: individuals with obstructive sleep apnea are different levels of understanding but did not differ in the level of global sense of coherence and level of quality of life. Noticeable is the low level of sense of coherence with nominally high quality of life for patients. The level of sense of coherence is associated with the level of quality of life in a way that the average, but the line – the higher the level of sense of coherence, the higher the quality of life for patients. Conclusions. The results obtained may indicate the need for more frequent monitoring among people treated for obstructive sleep apnea, because in the course of therapy, quality of life can change. A higher level of quality of life may facilitate contact with the patient and reduce the risk of complications of the disease.
Keywords: sense of coherence (SOC), quality of life, obstructive sleep apnea
- Inhibition of glucuronidation by tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a reason of drug-drug interactions
Joanna Porażka
Glucuronidation is a reaction of phase II drugs metabolism, responsible for biotransformation of major widely used medications. Its inhibitors disorder metabolism what may results in promotion another metabolic way. Inhibition of UDP-glucuronyltransferases is exerts by tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in anticancer therapy. A lot of drugs is administered to oncological patients and that make them under high risk of drug-drug interactions. In this article influence of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on other medications’ glucuronidationation process was reviewed.
Keywords: inhibition of glucuronidation, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, interactions
- Organization and financing of health care systems in the terms of pharmaceutical policy in Poland and Germany – comparative analysis
Urszula Religioni, Magdalena Mińko, Bożena Walewska-Zielecka, Steffen Amann
Healthcare in Germany is perceived to be one of the best systems in Europe. Differences between the functioning of healthcare systems in Poland and Germany are reflected by epidemiological indicators, such as average life expectancy, prevalence rate or the survival rate of patients suffering from cancer, as well as the percent of Gross Domestic Product, which is spent on health care. The aim of the paper is to compare the organization of health systems in Poland and Germany, including patient access to reimbursed medicines. The article describes the history of development of the two systems, the principles of financing and access to health care services, as well as the structure of public expenditure on different areas of health.
Keywords: health care system in Poland, health care system in Germany, drug reimbursement
- Pharmaceutical care for asthma patients
Edyta Szałek
The aim of pharmaceutical care provided to a patient suffering from asthma is to supervise safety of the therapy based on a well-prepared medical history. As asthma is a chronic disease and often requires a very complex therapy, the pharmacist’s primary role is to give advice concerning appropriate administration of drugs controlling the disease and applied in emergency situations. The pharmacist should tell the patient about the need to follow medical recommendations, give information about the effect of individual drugs, how to identify and prevent adverse reactions. It is also very important that the pharmacist should stimulate the patient’s self-control and prophylaxis in asthma.
Keywords: asthma, pharmaceutical care